Ball paddle with supporting and ball-storing handle



Sept. 15, 1964 M. J. RU DERIAN 3,148,883

BALL PADDLE WITH SUPPORTING AND BALL-STORING HANDLE Filed Oct. '25, 1962 FIG.2

INVE/VI'OR R u o E R A N p A TTORNEYS MAX J BY My United States Patent 3,148,883 BALL PADDLE WITH-I SUPPORTENG AND BALL-STORING HANDLE Max J. Ruderian, 545 Hanley Ave., Los Angeles 49, Calif. Filed Oct. 25, 1962, Ser. No. 233,087 1 Claim. (Cl. 273-97) This invention relates broadly to amusement devices and more particularly to an improved ball paddle.

Ball paddles of the type under consideration are pro vided with flat paddle surfaces and elongated handles extending therefrom. Many such paddles include an elastic band extending from the central portion of the paddle surface to a rubber ball to which the free end of the band is secured. With this arrangement, a child may paddle the ball, the rubber band serving to spring the ball back towards the paddle.

In other types of paddles, such as Ping-pong paddles, a similar structure is employed except that no ball is directly secured to the paddle.

In all paddles of the foregoing type, it is awkward to carry the paddles about since the flat paddle surfaces are relatively bulky, at least in two dimensions. Further, Where a ball is operatively associated with the paddle and actually connected thereto as by an elastic rubber band or equivalent line, it is even more difiicult to carry the paddle about without the band becoming tangled.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of this invention to provide an improved paddle structure in which the foregoing difliculties are overcome.

More particularly, it is an object to provide an im proved ball paddle including means in the handle to facilitate carrying the paddle.

Another important object is to provide an improved ball paddle meeting the foregoing objects in which the means in the handle to facilitate carrying the paddle also provide storage means for a ball associated with the paddle.

Briefly, these and other objects and advantages of this invention are attained by providing the handle portion of a conventional type paddle with a cutout area. This cutout area communicates with an entrance portion which is directed generally towards the far end of the handle. As a consequence, a hook shape is defined which may be employed to suspend the paddle from a belt stay or corner of a persons pocket or other portion of a persons clothing.

The cutout is preferably designed to include an enlarged lower portion dimensioned to receive a ball associated with the paddle. The type of balls under consideration are generally made of relatively spongy or flexible rubber to that they may be force-fitted into the opening and thus securely held within the cutout area of the handle. No additional material or extra components are required to thus provide a very simple carrying means for the paddle.

A better understanding of the invention will be had by now referring to the accompanying drawings, showing a preferred embodiment, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a ball paddle designed in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view illustrating the man ner in which the paddle may be supported and also in which a ball associated with the paddle may be carried.

Referring first to FIGURE 1, there is shown a ball paddle including a ball paddling surface 10 connected to a rubber ball 11 through the medium of an elastic line 12. As shown, the paddle includes an elongated handle 13 extending from the paddle surface 10.

In accordance with the invention, the handle 13 includes a cutout area having a relatively large lower edgev portion 14 and an upper hook portion 15. The entire cutout area communicates with an entrance slot 16 which is directed towards the far end of the handle 13. With this arrangement, the extreme end portion of the paddle defines the hook 15.

Referring now to FIGURE 2, the manner in which the cutout area provides a carrying means for the paddle will be clear. In the embodiment of FIGURE 2, the hook portion 15 has been looped about the stay 17 of a persons belt 18. In addition, the enlarged lower portion of the cutout area 14 is dimensioned to receive the rubber ball 11 which need be only slightly deformed to fit within the cutout area. By this arrangement, the ball not only closes the entrance opening 16 but is also carried within the cutout area.

From the foregoing description, it will thus be evident that the present invention has provided a greatly improved ball paddle. Not only is a means provided to facilitate the carrying about of the paddle, but also this same means serves the additional function of providing a means for carrying the ball in the event a ball is associated with the paddle. Further, the provision of the cutout area effects the various objects of this invention without the introduction of any additional components or movable par-ts.

While the invention has been described with respect to a ball paddle of the type in which a rubber ball is operatively associated as through the medium of the elastic band 12, it should be understood that the principles of the invention will apply to other types of paddles having elongated handles.

What is claimed is:

A game apparatus comprising: a paddle having a fiat ball paddling surface member and an elongated handle extending therefrom, said handle having a cutout area communicating with an entrance portion directed towards the free end portion of said handle to define hook means for carrying said paddle; a ball associated with said paddle, said cutout area being dimensioned to receive said ball in a force fit whereby said ball, when received in said cutout area, blocks said entrance portion to said cutout area and is carried in said cutout area.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 286,570 Sweeten Oct. 9, 1883 828,244 Punches Aug. 7, 1906 1,920,519 Morrissey Aug. 1, 1933 1,972,803 Taylor Sept. 4, 1934 2,105,379 Smith Jan. 11, 1938 2,185,055 Driscoll Dec. 26, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,016,863 France Sept. 3, 1952 

